DOCSLIB.ORG

Settlement History of the Manipuri in Barak Valley

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Settlement History of the Manipuri in Barak Valley RJPSS 2017 -Vol. 42, No.1 ISSN (P): 0258-1701 (e): 2454-3403 ICRJIFR IMPACT FACTOR 3.9819 Settlement History of The Manipuri in Barak Valley H. Basanta Kumar Singha Department of Sociology Maibang Degree College [email protected] Abstract: It’s an attempt to find out the migration and settlement history of Manipuris in this region. Settlement history is closely link with their present composite identity. Making conclusion of their emergence as distinct community in the valley by limiting only to 18th century may be a premature one. It may go beyond that. The author has used secondary resources such as Royal Chronicles, Gazetteers, Journals Magazines and relevant books in the study. The article shall confine only to the district of undivided Cachar, on the southern tip of Assam, which at present includes three separate districts, viz Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj. The plain area of these districts constitutes, what is called as Barak-Valley. It is located between the 92.15°E and 93.15°E longitudes and between the 28.8°N and the 25.8°N latitudes. The valley is surrounded by Manipur State in the East, North-Cachar Hills on the North, Mizoram in the South and Tripura and Sylhet (Bangladesh) in the West. Barak-Valley as a whole represents a number of heterogeneous communities, whose total population is 47,91,390 accoding to census 2011. They are living together for a long period of time. The numerous communities of Barak_Valley are : 1. Bengali (Both Hindu and Muslim) 2.Ex-tea Garden Labourers 3. Manipuri 4. Dimasa Kachari 5. Bisnupuria 5.Naga 6.Hmar 7.Assamese 8 Khasi 9.Tripuri 11.Nepalies. Prominent communities among them are the Bengali, Hindustani, the Manipuri and the Dimasa Kachari. Settlement of Manipuri’s Cachar At different historical stages immigrants belonging to different racial and cultural groups came to Cachar and settled permanently in this region. Over time, these migrants of distinct identities have become important ethnic groups in the social structure of cachar. According to B.C. Allen (1905:48) the earliest inhabitant of the district seem to have been Kacharies, Manipuries, Muhamadans and low caste Hindus from Sylhet. However, when Meetei settlements established in this region, we do not find an accurate answer to this particular question. Many historian believed that the establishment of Manipuri settlement in Cachar was 18th century phenomena. It is true that a good number of Manipuries settled in Cachar in the 18th century, but it does not mean that it was the beginning of Manipuri settlement in Cachar, There is a strong possibilities of existence of Manipuri settlement much earlier to that. RJPSS 2017 -Vol. 42, No.1 ISSN (P): 0258-1701 (e): 2454-3403 ICRJIFR IMPACT FACTOR 3.9819 In support to the early emergence of Manipuri settlement in Cachar, Dr. Chandramani argued that from the western direction during the reign of king Naothing Khong (663-763 AD) the first person who came to Manipur was princes Chingurembi who became the queen of the Maharaj. Her folks, who accompanied her, settled down in Manipur Valley ( Lamyanba, 1969: 66 ). Second evidence cited was that during the reign of Ningthou Khomba ( 1432-68 AD ) the person who came from Tripura and settled in Manipur Valley was one Dharmaran ( Ibid ). The evidence given above show that matrimonial alliance between the ruling class of Manipur and its immediate western neighbouring country was also accompanied by giving settlement to those who had come to Manipur. This indicates a close relationship of Manipur with her neighbouring countries from western side. On this basis Dr. Chandramani argues that Manipuries might have established their settlements in Cachar or Tripura long back in history. If look back at the history of Manipur, it makes us convince that at no time it remained as an insulated kingdom because of her location. Since time immemorial, Manipur has been connected by many international as well as regional routes. The hills between the Surma Valley and the Manipur Valley do not completely seal off the latter from the rest of India. From before the beginning of Christian era, there were some routes through these hills connecting Manipur Valley and the Surma Valley. There were at least three routes connecting the two valleys. The northern most of them connected Banskandi near Silchar with a placelace called Jaipur to the Manipur Valley. The middle one connected Banskandi with Bishnupur in Manipur Valley. The southernmost route connected the western bend of Barak river with Torbung, a village in the south-western part of Manipur valley ( Jhalajit, 1992:2 ). From Manipur to Burma and to the rest of Eastern World, these routes provided ample opportunities not only to Manipuris but also to outsiders for the pursuance of their respective interests. In the expansion and contraction of Manipur regime at different stages of history, these routes provided both the negative and positive results. During the reign of Naothing Khong ( 663 – 763 A.D. ) through these routes, expanded his kingdom in western direction up to modern Jiribam. Also traffic on the hill routes between the Surma valley and Manipur valley increased ( Jhalajit, 1992: 57). Consequently trade or commercial activities between the two valleys must have also developed. Manipur was invaded time and again, from Cachar and Tripura side during the reign of Khongtekcha (763 – 773 A.D. ), Kongyamba ( 1324 – 35 A.D. ), Kyamba (1467-1508 A.D.) and Kabomba (1524-1542 A.D.) without success. But during his rule, Chalamba invaded the western kingdom. According to Ningthourol Lambuba1 Chalamba invaded Cachar and conquered some villages. Cachar is referred to as Thongnang Mayang in the chronicle (Jhalajit, 1992:105). Again it is recorded in the chronicle that during the reign of king Paikhomba (1666-1698 A.D.), a town in Cachar was conquered which was near a river with reddish water. The town was in the plain contiguous to the plain areas inhabited by the Bengalies of east Bengal (Ibid:129). It also recorded that during his reign trade was carried out with Burma, Cachar and Tripura. The historical events such as marriage alliances, immigration, wars and trade and commercial activities between Manipur and her neighbouring areas, especially Cachar, together give ground to believe the beginning of Manipuri settlement in Cachar much before the 18th century. RJPSS 2017 -Vol. 42, No.1 ISSN (P): 0258-1701 (e): 2454-3403 ICRJIFR IMPACT FACTOR 3.9819 The settlement history of manipuris in Cachar has been well documented since the early part of 18th century. Related documents can be culled out from the local as well British sources. Since the 18th century, the political condition of Manipur remained unstable. Frequent Burmese invasions from outside and her internal crises contributed to the large scale growth of Meetei settlement in her neighbor countries2. During this unstable phase, the neighbouring kingdoms, particularly Cachar, had been used as important base for making temporary settlement. On the other hand, Cachar also been used for establishing further contacts with the rulers of Tripura, Assam and Sylhet. In the process many Manipuri settlements sprang up in these regions3. In Jai Singh’s time (1763-98 A.D.) a chain of Manipuri settlement sprang up in Cachar, Tripura, Sylhet, Decca, Jorhat, Sibsagar, Nabadwip (Bengal), and Vridavan (U.P.). The emergence of Manipuri settlements, during Jai Singh’s reign in these regions may be contributed to two reasons, i.e. political and religious. Those settled in North East India, including Sylhet and Decca, were due to political circumstances. Manipuri settlements in Nabadwip and Vrindaban were purely on religious basis4. We may say here that all the necessary infrastructure for future settlements of Manipuris outside Manipur was laid down by jai Singh. Immediately after him, due to unstable political atmosphere in Nanipur, many Manipuri princesses and common people migrated to these regions including Cachar. After him, the waves of Manipuri’s migration to the western direction accelerated. During the war between the Kachari King and Marjit Singh in 1818, number of Manipuri settlements might have further increased in Barak Valley. From 1819 to 1826, for period of seven years, Manipur remained under the Burmese occupation. This period is known as ‘ Chahi Taret Khuntakpa ‘ in Manipuri History. During this period of seven years, the ever largest number of Manipuri left their country and took shelters in Cachar, Sylhet, and Jaintia Hills. The occupation of South Cachar by Manipuri kings during this period, before the Yandabu Treaty between the British and Burma, further encouraged Manipur’s migration to Cachar. According to the treaty of Yandabu, Gambhir Singh was restored his power in Manipur, but many of the Manipuris remained backed in Cachar. However, the immigration trend of Manipuris to Cachar and her neighbouring countries did not cease. It kept on going at regular interval. In 1844, another wave of Manipuris came and settled in Chandrapur and Sylhet (Lamyanba, 1969:8). Again in 1850, a quarrel broke out in the palace where factions of royal brothers fought for power in Manipur. Prince Kulachandra faction successfully dethroned Surachandra, the then king of Manipur. After this royal feud, Maharaja Surachandra left for Vrindaban. In his royal prigrimage, the dethroned king was accompanied by his brothers, relatives, nobles etc. The majority of his followers then settled in Cachar, Sylhet and Nabadwip (Ibid, 1969:8). This was the last migration wave to Cachar or elsewhere from the independent kingdom of Manipur. Later the sovereignty of Manipur was lost to the British power on 25th April 1891. Manipuri Emigration from Sylhet Those Manipuris who had settled earlier in Sylhet, later on, migrated to the British occupied Cachar in the post annexation phase, that is, August 14th 1832, for different reasons.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Numbers in Bengali Language
    NUMBERS IN BENGALI LANGUAGE A dissertation submitted to Assam University, Silchar in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Masters of Arts in Department of Linguistics. Roll - 011818 No - 2083100012 Registration No 03-120032252 DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE ASSAM UNIVERSITY SILCHAR 788011, INDIA YEAR OF SUBMISSION : 2020 CONTENTS Title Page no. Certificate 1 Declaration by the candidate 2 Acknowledgement 3 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1.0 A rapid sketch on Assam 4 1.2.0 Etymology of “Assam” 4 Geographical Location 4-5 State symbols 5 Bengali language and scripts 5-6 Religion 6-9 Culture 9 Festival 9 Food havits 10 Dresses and Ornaments 10-12 Music and Instruments 12-14 Chapter 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 15-16 Chapter 3: OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY Objectives 16 Methodology and Sources of Data 16 Chapter 4: NUMBERS 18-20 Chapter 5: CONCLUSION 21 BIBLIOGRAPHY 22 CERTIFICATE DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES ASSAM UNIVERSITY SILCHAR DATE: 15-05-2020 Certified that the dissertation/project entitled “Numbers in Bengali Language” submitted by Roll - 011818 No - 2083100012 Registration No 03-120032252 of 2018-2019 for Master degree in Linguistics in Assam University, Silchar. It is further certified that the candidate has complied with all the formalities as per the requirements of Assam University . I recommend that the dissertation may be placed before examiners for consideration of award of the degree of this university. 5.10.2020 (Asst. Professor Paramita Purkait) Name & Signature of the Supervisor Department of Linguistics Assam University, Silchar 1 DECLARATION I hereby Roll - 011818 No - 2083100012 Registration No – 03-120032252 hereby declare that the subject matter of the dissertation entitled ‘Numbers in Bengali language’ is the record of the work done by me.
    [Show full text]
  • Had Conducted a Study “Flood Damage Mitigation Measures
    Report on the outcome of the Workshop Held on 14th June, 2016 To discuss on the findings of the study titled ‘Flood Damage Mitigation Measure for Barak Valley In South Assam including effects of Climate Change’ 1. Introduction: Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) had conducted a study “Flood Damage Mitigation Measures for Barak Valley in South Assam, including Effects of Climate Change” in collaboration with National Institute of Technology, Silchar. Moreover NIT, Silchar had partnered with IIT, Guwahati for undertaking the climate change componentfor the project. The final report of the study was submitted in the year 2014. The report comprised of study findings along with suggestions, short and long term for flood mitigation measures in Barak Valley. To take forward the study findings, the executive summery along with short and long term solutions were submitted to the concerned Departments viz. Water Resources Department, Soil Conservation Deptt, Agriculture Department, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Inland Water Transport Department for taking necessary action. To review and understand the actions taken by concerned department in this regard, ASDMA organized a half-day workshop on 14th June, 2016 at ASDMA Conference Hall where the finding of the study were presented by Prof P.S. Choudhry, Civil Engineering Department, NIT, Silchar and also discussed suggestions regarding the implementation of the same.ASDMA also presented regarding the short & long-term goals and highlighted department-wise modalities in its implementation. The workshop was attended by 34 officials from various concerned departments and participated in the group discussion held to take stock of the actions taken and explore the strategy for future planning that would be helpful towards mitigation of flood in Barak valley.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecotourism in Assam: a Promising Opportunity for Development
    SAJTH, January 2012, Vol. 5, No. 1 Ecotourism in Assam: A Promising Opportunity for Development MEENA KUMARI DEVI* *Meena Kumari Devi, Associate Professor, Economics, S.D College, Hajo, Assam. INDIA Introduction Ecotourism is a new form of tourism based on the idea of sustainability. The term “ecotourism” has diverse meanings and scholars are not unanimous on what ecotourism really means. The concept of ecotourism came into prominence in the late 80s as a strategy for reconciling conservation with development in ecologically rich areas. Conservation of natural resources prevents environmental degradation. That is why, this form of tourism has received global importance. It is currently recognized as the fastest growing segment of the tourism market (Yadav 2002). The World Ecotourism Summit, held in Quebee City, Canada, from 19 th to 22 nd May, 2002, declared the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism. Such declarations highlight the relevance and recognition of ecotourism, both locally and globally. Presently, ecotourism comprises 15-20% of international tourism. The growth rate of ecotourism and nature based activities is higher than most of the other tourism segments (Kandari and Chandra, 2004). Its market is now growing at an annual rate of 30% (Whelan, 1991). From this, the significance of ecotourism can be very easily evaluated. Definitions of Ecotourism: The concept of ecotourism is relatively new and often confusing. Therefore, a range of definitions of ecotourism has evolved. The term ‘ecotourism’ was coined by Hector Ceballos Lascurian in 1983 to describe nature based travel. Ceballos Lascurisn (1987) defines it as “traveling to relatively undisturbed or un contaminated natural areas with specific © South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage 180 MEENA KUMARI DEVI objectives of studying , admiring, enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas”.
    [Show full text]
  • 7 Jan Page 3
    Imphal Times Supplementary issue PagePage No. No. 3 3 Clock ticking, Naga talks stuck for long over CM Visits Samadhi of issue of symbols: Report Maharaja Gambhir Singh Agency had been resolved However, it is politically however, did not confirm Naga National Political Dimapur, Jan 7, between the two sides and “unviable for the Centre the same. Groups (NNPGs), a draft agreement was to accept demands such ”I would not like to comprising As the tenure of the NDA ‘almost ready’ by then. as a separate Naga flag, comment on it as we are representatives of six government at the Centre “But a change in Naga even though, sources engaged with the peace influential Naga political nears completion, there is position has led to said, it has agreed to process,” The Indian groups and the National no progress on apprehensions that any guarantee protection of Express’ report said quoting Socialist Council of negotiations for a peace gains made since 2014 will the Naga identity,” it RN Ravi. Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) or accord with Naga armed be lost with a change in added. Ravi has been closely NSCN-IM, had met groups, with talks stuck political dispensation at “But if these changes associated with interlocutors of the for almost a year due to the Centre,” it added. can be brought later negotiations with Naga Central government last an “intransigent position Quoting sources, the through a democratic groups for decades, first in month, and another taken” by the Naga side report said that logjam political process, the various capacities as an meeting is scheduled in on ‘symbolic’ issues, is largely due to issue Centre would have no Intelligence Bureau officer Delhi this month.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Structure of Manipur
    NAGALAND UNIVERSITY (A Central University Estd. By the Act of Parliament No. 35 of 1989) Headquarters - Lumami. P.O. Makokchung - 79860 I Department of Sociology ~j !Jfo . (J)ate . CER TI FICA TE This is certified that I have supervised and gone through the entire pages of the Ph.D. thesis entitled "A Sociological Study of Political Elite in Manipur'' submitted This is further certified that this research work of Oinam Momoton Singh, carried out under my supervision is his original work and has not been submitted for any degree to any other university or institute. Supervisor ~~ (Dr. Kshetri Rajendra Singh) Associate Professor Place : Lumami. Department of Sociology, Nagaland University Date : '1..,/1~2- Hqs: L\unami .ftssociate <Professor [)eptt of $c".IOI09.Y Neg8'and university HQ:Lumaml DECLARATION The Nagaland University October, 2012. I, Mr. Oinam Momoton Singh, hereby declare that the contents of this thesis is the record of my work done and the subject matter of this thesis did not form the basis of the award of any previous degree to me or to the best of my knowledge to anybody else, and that thesis has not been submitted by me for any research degree in any other university/ institute. This is being submitted to the Nagaland University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology. Candidate ().~~ (OINAM MOMOTON SINGH) Supervisor \~~~I ~~~,__ (PROF. A. LANU AO) (DR. KSHETRI RAJENDRA SINGH) Pro:~· tJeaJ Associate Professor r~(ltt ~ s.-< tr '•'!_)' ~ssociate <Professor f'l;-gts~·'l4i \ "'"~~1·, Oeptt of SodOIOGY Negelend unlY9fSitY HO:Lumeml Preface The theory of democracy tells that the people rule.
    [Show full text]
  • Socio-Political Development of Surma Barak Valley from 5 to 13 Century
    Pratidhwani the Echo A Peer-Reviewed International Journal of Humanities & Social Science ISSN: 2278-5264 (Online) 2321-9319 (Print) Impact Factor: 6.28 (Index Copernicus International) Volume-VIII, Issue-I, July 2019, Page No. 207-214 P ublished by Dept. of Bengali, Karimganj College, Karimganj, Assam, India Website: http://www.thecho.in Socio-Political Development of Surma Barak Valley from 5th to 13th Century A.D. Mehbubur Rahman Choudhury Ph.D Research Scholar, University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya Dr. Sahab Uddin Ahmed Associate Professor, History, Karimganj College, Karimganj, Assam Abstract The Barak Valley of Assam consists of three districts, viz. Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj situated between Longitude 92.15” and 93.15” East and Latitude 24.8” and 25.8” North and covering an area of 6,941.2 square Kilometres, this Indian portion of the valley is bounded on the north by the North Cachar Hills District of Assam and the Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, on the east by Manipur, on the south by Mizoram and on the west by Tripura and the Sylhet District of Bangladesh. These three districts in Assam, however, together form the Indian part of a Valley, the larger portion of which is now in Bangladesh. The valley was transferred to Assam from Bengal in 1874 and the Bangladesh part was separated by the partition of India in 1947. The social and polity formation processes in the Barak Surma Valley in the Pre-Colonial period were influenced by these geo-graphical, historical and sociological factors. On the one hand, it was an outlying area of the Bengal plains and on the other hand, it was flanked by the hill tribal regions.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyright by Jogendro Singh Kshetrimayum 2011
    Copyright by Jogendro Singh Kshetrimayum 2011 The Report Committee for Jogendro Singh Kshetrimayum Certifies that this is the approved version of the following report: The Politics of Fixity: A report on the ban of Hindi films in Manipur, Northeast India. APPROVED BY SUPERVISING COMMITTEE: Supervisor: Kuashik Ghosh Kathleen C. Stewart The Politics of Fixity: A report on the ban of Hindi films in Manipur, Northeast India. by Jogendro Singh Kshetrimayum, M.Sc. Report Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts The University of Texas at Austin December 2011 Dedication I dedicate this report to my parents who have always believed in me and Oja Niranjoy who was a passionate teacher and a kind soul. Acknowledgements I thank Tamo Sunil for providing me with valuable insights and information about Manipuri film industry. I also thank him for his time and his efforts to connect me with Manipuri filmmakers, Mukhomani Mongsaba, Lancha and Oken Amakcham. I am very grateful to Maria Luz Garcia, who has been a constant support throughout the different phases of writing this report. Without her constant encouragements it would have been difficult to finish this report. I also thank her for patiently going through my materials and helping me with copyediting. I am grateful to Kathleen Stewart for her comments and suggestions on the report. I thank Kaushik-da for always believing in me. I owe a lot to Kaushik-da for his wonderful insights on a wide range of topics.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of History MODERN COLLEGE, IMPHAL
    Department of History MODERN COLLEGE, IMPHAL A. FACULTY BIODATA 1. Personal Profile: Full Name Dr. Pechimayum Pravabati Devi Designation Associate Professor, HOD Date of Birth 01-03-1961 Date of Joining Service 12-10-1990 Subject Specialisation Ancient Indian History Qualification M.A. Ph. D Email [email protected] Contact Number +91 9436284578 Full Name Dr. Moirangthem Imocha Singh Designation Assistant Professor Date of Birth 01-10-1968 Date of Joining Service 16-01-2009 Subject Specialisation Mordern Indian History Qualification M.A. Ph. D Email [email protected] Contact Number 9856148957 Full Name Takhellambam Priya Devi Designation Assistant Professor Date of Birth 10-03-1968 Date of Joining Service 10-05-2016 Subject Specialisation Ancient Indian History Qualification M.A. M. Phil Email [email protected] Contact Number 9862979880 B. Evaluative Report General Information: History Department was open from the establishment of this College since 1963 till today. At present, our Department has three faculty members. Every year around 400 students enrolled in our Department. Sanctioned seat for honours course is 100 of which around 60 students offer honourse. Pass percentage of our Department ranges between 60 to 70 percent. Unit test in the University question pattern are held for every semester, twice for honours students and once for general students. Seminars are compulsory for Honourse students of 5th and 6th semester. Unit test and seminars are not in the ordinance of Manipur University. But in our college, these seminars and unit test are compulsory and held for the betterment of the students. Academic Activity: Faculty members are regularly participated in various academic activities like orientation, refresher course, seminars on international and national level, published books, and presented papers in journals.
    [Show full text]
  • Glimpses from the North-East.Pdf
    ses imp Gl e North-East m th fro 2009 National Knowledge Commission Glimpses from the North-East National Knowledge Commission 2009 © National Knowledge Commission, 2009 Cover photo credit: Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC), Shillong, Meghalaya Copy editing, design and printing: New Concept Information Systems Pvt. Ltd. [email protected] Table of Contents Preface v Oral Narratives and Myth - Mamang Dai 1 A Walk through the Sacred Forests of Meghalaya - Desmond Kharmawphlang 9 Ariju: The Traditional Seat of Learning in Ao Society - Monalisa Changkija 16 Meanderings in Assam - Pradip Acharya 25 Manipur: Women’s World? - Tayenjam Bijoykumar Singh 29 Tlawmngaihna: Uniquely Mizo - Margaret Ch. Zama 36 Cultural Spaces: North-East Tradition on Display - Fr. Joseph Puthenpurakal, DBCIC, Shillong 45 Meghalaya’s Underground Treasures - B.D. Kharpran Daly 49 Tripura: A Composite Culture - Saroj Chaudhury 55 Annexure I: Excerpts on the North-East from 11th Five Year Plan 62 Annexure II: About the Authors 74 Preface The north-eastern region of India is a rich tapestry of culture and nature. Breathtaking flora and fauna, heritage drawn from the ages and the presence of a large number of diverse groups makes this place a treasure grove. If culture represents the entire gamut of relationships which human beings share with themselves as well as with nature, the built environment, folk life and artistic activity, the north-east is a ‘cultural and biodiversity hotspot’, whose immense potential is beginning to be recognised. There is need for greater awareness and sensitisation here, especially among the young. In this respect, the National Knowledge Commission believes that the task of connecting with the north-east requires a multi-pronged approach, where socio-economic development must accompany multi-cultural understanding.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Breakdown in North East India: Explorations in State-Society Relations
    Working Paper Series ISSN 1470-2320 2007 No.07-83 Understanding the breakdown in North East India: Explorations in state-society relations M. Sajjad Hassan Published: May 2007 Development Studies Institute London School of Economics and Political Science Houghton Street Tel: +44 (020) 7955 7425/6252 London Fax: +44 (020) 7955-6844 WC2A 2AE UK Email: [email protected] Web site: www.lse.ac.uk/depts/destin 1 Understanding the breakdown in North East India: Explorations in state-society relations M. Sajjad Hassan DESTIN, London School of Economics 1. Introduction Northeastern India – a compact region made up of seven sub-national states1- has historically seen high levels of violence, stemming mostly from ethnic and separatist conflicts. It was among the first of the regions, to demonstrate, on the attainment of Independence, signs of severe political crisis in the form of nationalist movements. This has translated into a string of armed separatist movements and inter-group ethnic conflicts that have become the enduring feature of its politics. Separatist rebellions broke out first in Naga Hills district of erstwhile Assam State, to be followed by similar armed movement in the Lushai Hills district of that State. Soon secessionism overtook Assam proper and in Tripura and Manipur. Of late Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh have joined the list of States that are characterised as unstable and violent. Despite the attempts of both the state and society, many of these violent movements have continued to this day with serious implications for the welfare of citizens (Table 1). Besides separatist violence, inter-group ethnic clashes have been frequent and have taken a heavy toll of life and property.2 Ethnic violence exists alongside inter-ethnic contestations, over resources and opportunities, in which the state finds itself pulled in different directions, with little ability to provide solutions.
    [Show full text]
  • June 15 Page 2
    Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial Contd. from previous issue Imphal, Thursday June 15, 2017 Mr. CM, it should be Manipur: The Boiling Bowl of Ethnicity By: Dr. Aaron Lungleng Rivers in Imphal and not The Meities attend his coronation ceremony to pay neighbors. Several times, neighboring up till the beginning of the 20th century. According to Iboongohal Singh, “The homage to him. Marjit refused to attend kingdom men and royals pay a visit to Whereas, the Nagas and Meiteis at that only Imphal River original inhabitants of Manipur were the the coronation, which offended the the friendly Naga villages; they were time had already set up a proper village Kiratas (some tribes of Nagas), by that Burmese king. Thus, he sends a large treated as an honored guest due to state on the other hand the Meitie had Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s serious concern to time, Manipur valley was full of water” force under the command of General generations’ contacts through trade established their own kingdom. the flash flood, which had breached River Banks at (Singh, 1987:10). The present valley Maha Bandula to humble Marjit. Has even in the time of headhunting. Their The probability of the Kukis migrating many places, is indeed the need of the hour. There inhabitants (Imphal valley) were known human grateful attitude learnt sympathetic treatment cannot therefore upward from the Burma cannot be may be many reasons of the flash flood which had by different names by their neighbors Meetrabak/ would never face such be taken as conquest in any sense.
    [Show full text]
  • Dimasa Kachari of Assam
    ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY NO·7II , I \ I , CENSUS OF INDIA 1961 VOLUME I MONOGRAPH SERIES PART V-B DIMASA KACHARI OF ASSAM , I' Investigation and Draft : Dr. p. D. Sharma Guidance : A. M. Kurup Editing : Dr. B. K. Roy Burman Deputy Registrar General, India OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS NEW DELHI CONTENTS FOREWORD v PREFACE vii-viii I. Origin and History 1-3 II. Distribution and Population Trend 4 III. Physical Characteristics 5-6 IV. Family, Clan, Kinship and Other Analogous Divisions 7-8 V. Dwelling, Dress, Food, Ornaments and Other Material Objects distinctive qfthe Community 9-II VI. Environmental Sanitation, Hygienic Habits, Disease and Treatment 1~ VII. Language and Literacy 13 VIII. Economic Life 14-16 IX. Life Cycle 17-20 X. Religion . • 21-22 XI. Leisure, Recreation and Child Play 23 XII. Relation among different segments of the community 24 XIII. Inter-Community Relationship . 2S XIV Structure of Soci141 Control. Prestige and Leadership " 26 XV. Social Reform and Welfare 27 Bibliography 28 Appendix 29-30 Annexure 31-34 FOREWORD : fhe Constitution lays down that "the State shall promote with special care the- educational and economic hterest of the weaker sections of the people and in particular of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation". To assist States in fulfilling their responsibility in this regard, the 1961 Census provided a series of special tabulations of the social and economic data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are notified by the President under the Constitution and the Parliament is empowered to include in or exclude from the lists, any caste or tribe.
    [Show full text]